EvansCycle between £550 and £800

Ghyz32

Going to buy a HT between £550 and £800 from evanscycle (can't go anywhere else)
I think my best bet is this one:
£625
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin-two-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055207#select
But I wanted to hear your opinion.
I also think those 2 could be okay, not sure they are worth the extra quids:
£800
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/rockhopper-pro-2013-mountain-bike-ec042246
or
also £800 big discount, but reviews are so-so and it's steel frame (heavier)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/cooker-hi-2013-mountain-bike-ec042786

There are a number of other bikes, but honestly I have no idea which one would be better or comparable to the Pinnacle.
unfortunately they don't have this one in my size, otherwise I think it might have been a good one:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/karakoram-10-2013-mountain-bike-ec042823

What do you think? I've discarded quite a few bikes with Suntour fork, is this a mistake? I'm pretty new to MB but used to road bike.

Thank you

supersonic

Suntour have a huge range forks - some poor, some very good. The Epicons are arguably better than the Rockshox XC series seen here.

Ghyz32

thanks.
So I've just spotted this bike too for £700
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/mahuna-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055936#features
It seems to have some interesting specs. Fork is Suntour XCR 32 LO-R 100mm.
.

supersonic

That's pretty poor for the money to be honest - seen that fork on bikes half the price, and better parts too. The XCR is two rungs down from the Epicon.

The other bikes you list are all decent enough, the Ramin looks good value.

Ghyz32

think I've narrowed it down to those 2:
£800
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin-three-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055208
or £950 (I know more than the budget but looks so much better!)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/carve-comp-2013-mountain-bike-ec042220
I just am not sure if it's worth paying so much more money.

I'll try the specialized tomorrow. Tried the ramin 3 this morning and was quite good

Ghyz32

Search over. I went to test the Specialized Carve 2013 and I thought it was well worth the extra money so I bought it.
I changed the pedals for Shimano lock and I then went for a very muddy ride for about one hour and a half... wow, I thought it was brilliant. Handles so well and so easy to cycle around. I am not fit (first ride in a very very long time) and I still had a blast!
I had to wash the bike with the hose and the break were squeaking afterwards... slightly concerned about this, but I'm sure it just needs to dry. (although other people have reported loud noise with those type of brakes).

Overall more than satisfied, but it was only my first ride.

In the end I was hesitating between the Specialized Carve and the Pinnacle Ramin 3. Here are a few comments explaining what made me decide for the more expensive one.
* Ramin 3 was cheaper and the equipement was roughly the same or possibly even better than the Carve. (+ for Ramin)
* Carve's fork is better although I couldn't tell from the test drive. (+ for Carve)
* Carve's fork can be remote locked (not sure how much better that is to be honest) (+ for Carve)
* Look of the carve is much better (+ for Carve)
* Position on the Carve was much better for me (+ for Carve)
* The Carve felt a lot lighter than the Ramin 3. (+ for Carve)

I hope this can help someone else decide. I am sure I'll have more to say in the weeks to come!